Picture of the Week

Hurricane Irene is really messing things up.

Quotes

"Mike wasn't a guy that was in anybody's business, he wasn't in the locker room trying to [impose advice], but he was always there if somebody wanted to seek him out. He was such a source of wisdom for so many people, including me," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter about recently deceased Mike Flanagan.

"I'm excited to come out on the field every day. I'm excited to compete. ... My focus isn't on trying to continue the streak. My focus is on winning." -Dan Uggla on his hitting streak.

"Cam is an awesome dude. He's my brother, but we were separated at birth." -Mat Latos on Cameron Maybin.

Jon Heder stars as Buster Posey in the drama “Catching: Life on My Knees”

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be doing rankings this year, but here I am, on a Sunday morning (with plenty of actual work to be doing) thinking about baseball, watching baseball, and projecting baseball. Like every year, I begin with the men behind the plate, not because they’re an integral part of fantasy, but because they’re the generals of the infield; everything has to go through these squatting men.

There are probably 2-3 catchers I would entertain taking in the top-100 (entertain, not necessarily enact). Outside of the top three, all backstops are created equal. I know I’ve said this many times before–in conversation, on message boards, and right here on Rotoballs, but–do not waste a mid-round pick on a catcher (unless you’re in a league that requires two catchers). As my projections will show, the difference between Carlos Santana and Jarrod Saltalamacchia is negligible.

With the Super Bowl over and the commencement of Februany and Subway, it’s time to start rolling out the Twenty-Thirteen rankings. Since pitchers and catchers are reporting soon, I figured to start with catchers and work my way down the position list.

Over the past couple seasons, we’ve seen a shift in the position. Once top heavy, catcher is now a flooded market. In 2013, drafting a catcher is like buying a beer; there are so many good ones to choose from, you almost can’t go wrong. As I said on our last podcast, there are easily seventeen startable (not a real word, but in fantasy sports it is) catchers, although I’m only choosing to list 13 here.

It would prove pointless to talk about the reigning MVP, Buster Posey, but it is worth noting that he is the only catcher who should be drafted in the top-50 of any draft (and that includes keeper leagues) because on top of being a ridiculously deep position this year, catcher is the weakest position on the fantasy diamond. Most catchers only play 4-5 games a week and suffer in the AB department because of it.

If you could pick one position that you would love to not draft in 2012, what would it be? Shut up, it’s not DH you silly suckers, it’s catcher. Gone are the days where you could draft a surestud behind the plate. Victor Martinez is hobbling around somewhere in the geriatric ward, while Jorge Posada took his tear-soaked glove and box of tissues home with him. The mainstays, like Brian McCann and Joe Mauer, are still here, but neither can be called difference makers anymore. McCann hasn’t shown the power everyone thought he would develop and Mauer, injured and banged up over the past few seasons, hasn’t regained that power stroke he had in ’09.

There are a few youngsters at the position, all of which have upside, but a significant and daunting downside. Catcher for the Tribe, Carlos Santana (26 years old), has shown that power that McCann hasn’t, but he’s a whiff machine and only amassed 132 hits in 552 at-bats. Buster Posey (24) possesses all the skills to be a big-time player, but coming off a significant injury could limit his playing time. Jesus Montero (22), the youngest of the bunch, gave us a tantalizing glimpse, albeit a brief one, at what could be the beginning of a wonderful career. But playing for the Mariners will limit his scoring opportunities. Finally, J.P. Arencibia (26) is a masher, but equally a golden sombrero wearer, but if you’re in 5×5 you won’t have to worry about his strikeouts.

In 2010, catcher wasn’t a sexy position. It’s not too different in 2011, either. Sure, two new studs have been thrown into the mix (Posey and Santana), but I still have my reservations about both the youngsters. I’m one of the few fantasy players who employs the rule “show it to me twice.” I’m expecting pitchers to make the adjustments to Posey, and a typical sophomore slip might be on the horizon. Remember, when he was promoted last year, he wasn’t know as a great power hitter. The home runs were a surprise at first.

My advice with catchers is if you don’t draft one of the top-five or six, you’re better off not wasting an early pick just to fill that spot. The difference between Matt Weiters and Miguel Olivo isn’t the Grand Canyon. And in a ten team league that only requires one catcher spot, half these guys are irrelevant, at least for the draft. There are four tiers for catchers with roughly five in each tier.